The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1887-10-28
The Great Issue Involved.

The political contest now going on in
Maryland is one of no ordinary importance,
and its true nature is likely 10 be obscured by
the intervention Of minor issues which have
been forced into the canvass by angry parti-
sans. The independent Democrats, in their
pretended desire to reform the management
Of the Democratic party, have united with
the Republicans, hoping that should the lat
ter be successful they will be quietly permit
ted to reorganize the Democratic party and
become lis leaders and the distributors of its
patronage. The Republicans have n fixed
and definite object in view, namely, their
restoration to power in Maryland, and being
very grateful, of course, for Democratic aid,
they put their Independent friends forward
on all occasions, we'll satisfied that they
should have the credit of victory or the obi
um ofdefeat, provided the Republicans them
selves reap the substantial fruits of the coali-
ton. They well know, too, that the Inde-
pendent Democratic leaders have burned the
bridges behind them, and come what may,
they can never more lead the Democratic
forces and must remain in the Republican
camp or be like wandering meteors, with no
fixed place in the political armament.
The Republicans 1t should be remembered,
have not made the pretence, even, OF nomi.
natinga non-partisan ticket, for every man
on their ticket is an open and avowed Re-
publican, opposed to the Democratic princi-
pies which the Independents pretend to
hold The contest, therefore, is square one
between the Democratic and Republican
parties-whether our State government shall
be conducted by Democrats upon the sound
principles of Jefferson and jackson, or the
subversive doctrines of the Republican party.
The cry of Reform, as applied by the indie
pendents to the Democratic administration
of affairs in Maryland is false and intended
to mislead. Notwithstanding the assertion
of the Independents and Republicans, any
one who will take the trouble to examine the
question for himself, will find that the affairs
OF no State in tAc Union are more economic
ally and judiciously managed than those of
Maryland. Under Democratic rule there
have been no robberies of her treasury. Her
Democratic Governors since the war, from
Governor Bowie to Governor LLOYD, have
been men of the highest honor and integrity,
meu who have adorned their exalted position
and sustained the dignity of our dear old
State. Every department of the State
government, indeed, has been carefully man.
nf,,1 n,
administration ofany Democratic State off
clal. lit were otherwise, both Republicans
and Independents would make haste to show
up in most glaring, colors every instance of
misgovernmcnt aud every dishonest act.
Therefore the only hope these pretended re-
formers have of disorganizing and defeating
the Democratic party is by attacking its lead.
ers and endeavoring to weaken the conf.
dence of the Democratic masses in them. To
accomplish this result they have resorted to
the most unworthy means. Men whose lives
and characters have stood the test of years
have been proclaimed rogues and scoundrels.
Indeed, no man of prominence who has dared
to raise his voice In behalf of the Democratic
party has been spared,
The real cause of their pretended zeal for
reform is not that Maryland and the city of
Baltimore are not well governed, but that the
people have preferred Democratic to Re.
publican rule, having had bitter experience
of the latter during and after the civil war.
Besides the immediate possession of the
offices, the Republican leaders have greater
stake in view The Misrepresentation of the
condition of the affairs of our State and the
city ofBaltimore has turned upon us the at
tention of the entire country, and the iufu-
entail Republican journals of the North have
seized the opportunity to help the Repubi-
cans here to regain the ascendancy this year,
knowing that if they succeed now their
chances OF carrying the State for the Repub-
lcan candidate for President next year will
be greatly increased, and they believe that
the loss of Maryland TO the Democrats will
break the solid Democratic South.
How important.it becomes, then, for every
voter who desires continuance of Dem O.
cratic rule at Washington to cast his vote for
the entire Democratic ticket Any success
gained by the Republicans this year, will
mean harder fight to keep Maryland in the
Democratic line next year, when, as we hope,
President Cleveland will again be the leader
of the Democratic hosts. Let no Democrat
falter in his allegiance to his party but vote
for every candidate named on his party
ticket.
The State Department has announced